Significant M5.9 Earthquake Strikes Near Costa Rica

Significant M5.9 Earthquake struck on Tuesday Evening in the North Pacific Ocean near San José (Costa Rica)

In the evening of Tuesday October 21st, 2025, a significant Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit in the North Pacific Ocean 64 kilometer from San José, Costa Rica. Roughly 6 million people may have felt this earthquake. Other nearby countries are Panama and Nicaragua.

This earthquake hit under water in the North Pacific Ocean, right off the coast of Costa Rica (2 mi offshore), 64 kilometer south of San José. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 31 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 6 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.An estimated 39,980 people were exposed to level V. At this level, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 4.2 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.